July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 1 

GREAT BASIN UNIFIED AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT

157 Short Street, Bishop, California 93514-3537

Tel: 760-872-8211 Fax: 760-872-6109 E-mail: schade@greatbasinapcd.org

BOARD REPORT

Mtg. Date: July 7, 2005 

To: District Governing Board 

From: Ted Schade, Air Pollution Control Officer 

Subject: PUBLIC HEARING – As required by SB 700, revision to District Rules 216 and 405 

removing agricultural exemptions and adoption of new Rules 502 and 307 limiting 

fugitive dust emissions from agricultural operations 

INTRODUCTION

Most agricultural activities in California have always been exempt from air quality rules and 

regulations. However, that changed on January 1, 2004 when Senate Bill 700 (SB 700) was 

enacted into California state law. Among other things, SB 700 requires air pollution control 

districts to remove agricultural exemptions from their rules. Agricultural activities are now to be 

treated the same as other sources of air pollution. In the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution 

Control District (Alpine, Inyo and Mono Counties), there is also the requirement for agricultural 

operations to implement additional measures to prevent particulate matter air pollution and the 

requirement for large agricultural operations to obtain District permits for their activities. Great 

Basin must adopt new regulations implementing the requirements of SB 700 by July 2005 and 

the regulations must be effective by January 1, 2006. 

BACKGROUND

On September 15, 2004 the Great Basin Governing Board held a workshop to discuss the new 

agricultural requirements. District staff presented drafts of rules that would meet the 

requirements of SB 700. The Board directed staff to form a working group of local interested 

parties to refine these requirements and to prepare sample plans that would allow local 

agricultural operators to meet the requirements as simply and inexpensively as possible. 

The “Agricultural Activities Rule Development Workgroup” was formed in January 2005 and 

met twice—on February 16 and March 30, 2005. The goal of the Workgroup was to develop 

regulations that meet the requirements of law, reduce the potential for air pollution from 

agricultural operations and cause minimum cost and inconvenience to agricultural operators. 

The draft rule revisions and new rules were presented to the Governing Board at a public 

workshop on May 16, 2005 at which time the Board directed the Air Pollution Control Officer to 

remove the requirement for all agricultural operators to implement three General Conditions to 

limit wind-blown fugitive dust emissions and bring the final rules back to the Board for adoption 

at the July 7, 2005 meeting. 

Theodore D. Schade 

Air Pollution Control Officer 
 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 2 

SB 700 REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GREAT BASIN UAPCD 

As discussed in detail at previous Board meetings, because Great Basin is designated as “serious 

non-attainment” for PM-10 air pollution, SB 700 requires the District to do three things: 

1. Remove all exemptions for agricultural activities from existing District rules, 

2. Adopt a rule requiring Best Available Control Measures (BACM) and Best Available 

Retrofit Control Technology (BARCT) for agricultural activities, and 

3. Require large agricultural sources of air pollution to obtain District permits for their 

operations. 

These three requirements will now be discussed in more detail: 

1. Remove all exemptions for agricultural activities from existing District rules 

District staff has reviewed existing District rules to identify those rules that exempt agricultural 

sources from requirements that would otherwise apply to them. Two existing District rules 

specifically exempt agricultural operations. They are: 

Rule 216 – New Source Review Requirements for Determining Impact on Air Quality 

Secondary Sources 

Rule 405 – Exceptions to District Rules Regulating Opacity, Particulate Matter and 

Oxides of Nitrogen 

SB 700 requires that these exemptions be removed. The modifications proposed for these rules 

are attached to this report as Attachment A on page 7. These modifications to existing District 

rules will make air pollution from agricultural operations subject to the same requirements as air 

pollution from other sources in the District. 

2. Adopt a rule requiring BACM and BARCT for agricultural activities 

SB 700 requires each district that is designated as a serious federal non-attainment area for a 

particulate matter ambient air quality standard as of January 1, 2004, adopt, implement, and 

submit for inclusion in the SIP, a rule or regulation requiring BACM and BARCT for 

agricultural sources and practices to reduce emissions of particulates and their precursors from 

such operations by the earliest feasible date, but no later than January 1, 2006. 

The implementation schedule for BACM/BARCT rules required the District to hold at least one 

public workshop for the purpose of accepting public testimony on the proposed rule or regulation 

before September 2004. The workshop was held at the District’s September 15, 2004 Board 

meeting. The rules and regulations requiring BACM/BARCT must then be adopted by July 1, 

2005 and must go into effect by January 1, 2006. 

Two new rules are proposed to meet the BACM/BARCT requirement: Rule 502 establishes a 

Conservation Management Practices Program (CMPP) that allows agricultural operations to 

meet BACM requirements in a straightforward “cookbook”-like manner and Rule 307 sets a fee 

schedule for the District to recover some of the costs of implementing and enforcing the CMPP. 

Proposed final versions of these rules are included in Attachment B on page 10. 

Rule 502, which establishes the CMPP, is not a permit program, but rather a program that 

requires agricultural operations to commit to adopting operational practices that will limit 
 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 3 

fugitive dust emissions from their operation sites. The CMPP is based on a rule recently adopted 

by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District in order to comply with the 

requirements of SB 700. The CMPP requires all agricultural sources that are not exempt to 

submit a dust control plan. The District will develop a list of BACM/BARCT controls for 

different types of agricultural activities (field crops, orchard crops and confined animal facilities) 

and agricultural operators will choose the most appropriate controls from the list for their plan. 

Based on direction given by the Board at their July 14, 2004, September 15, 2004 and May 16, 

2005 meetings, the CMPP has the following elements: 

1. The program phases in over a three year period. For agricultural operations in the Owens 

Valley PM10 Planning Area (the southern Owens Valley), requirements begin in January 

2006. For the Coso Junction, Mono Basin and Mammoth Lakes areas, requirements go 

into effect in January 2007. For the balance of the District, the CMPP rule is effective in 

January 2008. 

2. The program does not apply to agricultural operation sites less than 10 acres for sites near 

residential areas and 40 acres for sites not near residences. Contiguous properties under 

common ownership or operation are considered a “site” for the purposes of the CMPP. 

The final rules propose that the 40-acre limit apply to agricultural sites not adjacent to 

residential areas. A plan will be required for sites 10 acres and larger if there are five or 

more residences within one-quarter mile of the site’s boundaries. 

3. The District Board will approve the list of BACM/BARCT controls. The list of controls 

is included as Attachment C on page 22.

The proposed CMP Program will allow agricultural operators to prepare Conservation 

Management Plans by simply checking boxes next to control practices that they agree to 

implement. Forms have been prepared for alfalfa, row/field crops and other agricultural activities 

(roads, equipment areas, open burning, engines, etc.). These forms will be available on the 

District’s website www.gbuapcd.org. Additional forms will be prepared as the need arises. Staff 

has prepared an informational packet for agricultural operators. It is bound separately to this 

report. 

Rule 307 sets a fee schedule for the CMPP. The proposed rule sets a flat initial fee of $150 for 

review and approval of the plans. This is the estimated minimum actual cost for District staff to 

review the plans, meet with the operators, inspect the sites and approve the plans. Staff estimates 

that plans will take at least three hours to fully process. Annual renewals are $60 per year and 

cover the cost of plan review and site inspection. If the farm operation makes no changes to their 

plan and has no violations in five years, the cost would drop to $30 per year. Costs are based on 

an average hourly staff rate of $50. 

3. Require large agricultural sources of air pollution to obtain permits for their operations 

SB 700 also removes the exemption from local permit requirements for “large agricultural 

operations.” These operations will now be subject to the same permit requirements and 

regulations that have traditionally applied to all commercial and industrial facilities within the 

District. SB 700 defines “large agricultural operations” as those that have actual emissions from 

livestock and equipment greater than fifty percent of the federal Title V threshold. Fugitive 

emissions, such as dust from plowed fields would not count toward this threshold. In the Great 
 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 4 

Basin UAPCD, 50 percent of the Title V threshold is 35 tons per year for PM-10 and 50 tons per 

year for other pollutants in the Owens Valley PM-10 Planning Area and 50 tons per year for all 

pollutants in the rest of the District. Agricultural operations subject to this requirement would be 

quite large—on the order of 8,000 head of cattle in most of the District. By removing the 

agricultural exemption from Rules 216 and 405, as discussed above, large operations would now 

be subject to District permits just like any other regulated air polluting operation. 

CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) 

Pursuant to CEQA, District staff has reviewed the proposed new and amended rules and has 

determined that the proposed new rules and rule amendments will not result in any potential 

adverse environmental impacts. A Notice of Exemption is attached (page 35) and will be filed. 

FISCAL IMPACT: 

Between 2006 and 2008, as the requirements of the new rules take effect, agricultural operations 

in the Great Basin APCD will have costs associated with the development and implementation of 

Conservation Management Plans. Because the District has prepared simple forms to assist farm 

operators in the preparation of these plans, the cost of plan preparation is expected to be minimal. 

District staff will incur costs in the review, approval and inspection of these plans. The proposed 

fees will cover most of the District’s costs. Agricultural operations may also have costs 

associated with implementing the conservation management practices required by the plans. 

However, the measures required are not unusual and are expected as part of a well-operated 

agricultural operation. Therefore, there should be little additional cost to the farm operators. 

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS: 

Staff recommends that the Board: 

1. Open the public hearing and take public input regarding the proposed rule revisions and 

new rules relating to agricultural activities. 

2. Adopt attached Resolution 2005-02 that will: 

a. Revise Rules 216 and 404 to remove agricultural exemptions from existing District 

rules, 

b. Create new Rules 502 and 307 to require Best Available Control Measures (BACM) 

and Best Available Retrofit Control Technology (BARCT) for agricultural activities 

with the District, and 

c. Approve the list of BACM/BARCT measures for agricultural activities included in 

Attachment C. 

Attachments:

Page 5: Resolution 2005-02 

Page 7: A. Rules 216 and 405 – Proposed modifications to existing District rules eliminating 

agricultural exemptions 

Page 10: B. Rules 502 and 307 – Proposed new rules requiring BACM and BARCT for 

agricultural activities 

Page 22: C. List of Conservation Management Practices for agricultural operations 

Page 35 CEQA Notice of Exemption 

Bound separately: Conservation Management Practices Program Description and Forms

0506011 
 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 5 

RESOLUTION 2005-02 

A RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE 

GREAT BASIN UNIFIED AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT 

MAKING FINDINGS OF FACTS AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, ADOPTING REVISIONS TO 

DISTRICT RULES REMOVING AGRICULTURAL EXEMPTIONS AND ADOPTING RULES 

LIMITING FUGITIVE DUST EMISSIONS FROM AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS 

 WHEREAS, notice to the public and to the State Air Resources Board was duly and 

timely given of this public hearing on the adoption of revisions to existing District Rule 216 (New 

Source Review Requirements for Determining Impact on Air Quality Secondary Sources), 

revisions to existing District Rule 405 (Exceptions), new District Rule 307 (Conservation 

Management Practices Plan Fees) and new District Rule 502 (Conservation Management 

Practices) in accordance with California Health & Safety Code §40725; and 

 WHEREAS, the Governing Board of the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District 

has conducted a public hearing on the adoption and/or revision of Rules 216, 307, 405 and 502, 

and has provided for and invited the submission of statements, arguments, or contentions, both 

written and oral, in accordance with Health & Safety Code § 40726, and 

 WHEREAS, the rule changes are intended to comply with Senate Bill 700 (SB700), 

which was enacted into law on January 1, 2004, [H&SC §40724 and §40724.5] requiring the 

District to adopt rules that remove agricultural activities exemptions from existing District rules 

and require best available control measures (BACM) and best available retrofit control 

technology (BARCT) for applicable agricultural practices (including but not limited to, tilling, 

discing, cultivation and raising of farm animals, and for fugitive emissions from those agricultural 

practices) in those areas of the District designated as serious and moderate federal 

nonattainment for particulate matter; and 

 WHEREAS, in order to provide uniform and consistent regulations for all agricultural 

activities in the District, the new and revised rules will apply to all agricultural operations in the 

District, but will be phased-in between January 1, 2006 and January 1, 2008, depending on an 

area’s nonattainment designation; and 

WHEREAS, these rule changes will be effective on July 7, 2005; and 

 WHEREAS, the District prepared and made available for review a written analysis of the 

District Rules 216, 307, 405 and 502 as required by Health & Safety Code §40727.2, and 

 WHEREAS, adoption of the revisions and rules is necessary, as demonstrated by the 

record of this proceeding, to comply with the legal requirement imposed on the District by 

SB700, and 

 WHEREAS, the revisions to the District’s agricultural operations rules are consistent with 

and not in conflict with or contradictory to, any existing statutes, court decisions, or State or 

federal regulations, and 

 WHEREAS, the revisions to the District’s agricultural operations rules are written so that 

persons directly affected by it can easily understand its meaning, and 

 WHEREAS, the revisions to the District’s agricultural operations rules and this resolution 

adequately and comprehensively set forth the proper references to the legal authority that 

permits and requires the District to adopt the revisions to these rules to comply with SB700, and 
 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 6 

 WHEREAS, no changes have been made in the text of the revisions to the agricultural 

operations rules originally made available to the public that are so substantial as to significantly 

affect its meaning, and 

 WHEREAS, a proposed Notice of Exemption meeting the requirements of the California 

Environmental Quality Act was properly noticed and circulated, indicating the proposed rule 

changes are categorically exempt from the requirements of CEQA, and 

 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Governing Board of the Great Basin 

Unified Air Pollution Control District hereby finds and determines to be true, on the basis of 

substantial evidence, each statement of fact, and hereby adopts on the basis of the record of 

this proceeding each conclusion of law, set forth in the recitals to this resolution, and 

 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that on the basis of the foregoing, the Governing Board 

of the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District hereby authorizes and directs the Air 

Pollution Control Officer to execute on behalf of the District a Notice of Exemption for this rule 

revision, and to file or record the notice reflecting that action as provided by applicable law, and 

 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that on the basis of the foregoing, the Governing Board 

of the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District hereby adopts the rule revisions, 

promulgates the new agricultural operations rules and approves a list of BACM/BARCT 

measures for agricultural activities, in the form attached hereto, and 

 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that on the basis of the foregoing, the Governing Board 

of the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District hereby authorizes and directs the Air 

Pollution Control Officer to execute and deliver on behalf of the District all documents and to 

undertake all acts as are necessary to comply with applicable law including, but not limited to, 

California Health & Safety Code §40724 and §40724.5, and to enforce District rules hereunder; 

and 

 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the District shall prepare and maintain a record of 

this rule adoption in accordance with Health & Safety Code §40728. 

DONE by the Governing Board of the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District 

this 7th day of July, 2005, by the following vote: 

AYES: 

NOES: 

ABSTAIN: 

ABSENT: 

 

 __________________________________ 

 Tony Barrett, Board Chair 

 

ATTEST: _____________________________ 

Donna Leavitt, Clerk of the Board
Great Basin Unified APCD 

Proposed Revised Rule 216 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 7 

Attachment A 

Proposed modifications to Existing District Rules 216 and 405 

(Note: Modifications noted in left margin with →) 

RULE 216. NEW SOURCE REVIEW REQUIREMENTS FOR DETERMINING IMPACT 

ON AIR QUALITY SECONDARY SOURCES

ADOPTED 10/15/79, REVISED 7/7/05 

A. GENERAL 

 1. A person shall not initiate, modify, construct or operate any secondary source which will 

cause the emission of any manmade air pollutant for which there is a state or national 

ambient air quality standard without first obtaining a permit from the Air Pollution Control 

Officer. 

 2. The Air Pollution Control Officer shall deny a permit for any new secondary source or 

modification which he determines will cause a violation or contribute to the continued 

violation of any state or national ambient air quality standard. 

B. EXEMPTIONS 

 1. The Air Pollution Control Officer may exempt from the provisions of this rule any new 

secondary source or modification which includes: 

 a. Vehicular parking facilities without dust retardant agents and which have a parking 

capacity of less than 50 vehicles. 

 b. Unpaved roads having less than 100 vehicle trip-ends in any one hour period, or 

less than 300 vehicle trip-ends in an eight hour period per a 20 mile continuous road 

length. 

 c. Unpaved runways and airports having less than 60 operations per month. 

→ d. Agricultural operations specifically necessary for the direct growing of crops or the 

raising of fowl or animals.

 e. Other secondary sources deemed by the Air Pollution Control Officer that emit 

insignificant amounts of air contaminants. 

C. APPLICATIONS 

 1. Before granting or denying a permit for any new secondary source or modification, subject to 

the requirements of this rule, the Air Pollution Control Officer shall: 

 a. Require the applicant to submit information sufficient to describe the nature and 

amounts of emissions, location, design, construction, and operation of the 

secondary source; and to submit any additional information required by the Air 

Pollution Control Officer to make the analysis. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

Proposed Revised Rule 216 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 8 

 b. Require the applicant to submit the projected expansion plans for the secondary 

source for the ten-year period subsequent to the date of application for the permit. 

 c. Analyze the effect of the new secondary source or modification on air quality. Such 

analysis shall consider expected air contaminant emissions and air quality in the 

vicinity of the new secondary source or modification, within the Air Basin and within 

adjoining air basins at the time the secondary source or modification is proposed to 

commence operation. 

 d. Make available for public inspection at the Air Pollution Control District office, the 

information submitted by the applicant, the Air Pollution Control Officer's analysis of 

the effect on air quality, and the preliminary decision to grant or deny the permit. 

 e. Publish a notice by prominent advertisement in at least one newspaper of general 

circulation in the District stating where the public may inspect the information 

required in subparagraph (d) of this paragraph. The notice shall provide 30 days, 

beginning on the date of publication, for the public to submit comments on the 

application. 

 f. Forward copies of the notice required in sub-paragraph (e) of this paragraph to the 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the California Air Resources Board, all 

counties within the air basin and all adjoining Air Pollution Control Districts in other 

air basins. 

 g. Consider public comments submitted. 

D. CONDITIONAL APPROVAL 

 The Air Pollution Control Officer shall impose conditions on the permit as he deems necessary to 

ensure the secondary source or modification will be operated in such a manner assumed in making 

the analysis required by this rule. 

E. EFFECTIVE DATE 

 This rule shall become effective upon adoption. All new secondary sources or modifications pending 

on the date of adoption of this rule are subject to its provisions. 

F. DEFINITIONS 

 1. "Secondary Source" includes any structure, building, facility, equipment, installation or 

operation (or aggregation thereof) which is located on one or more bordering properties 

within the District and which is owned, operated or under shared entitlement to use by the 

same person. 

 2. "Manmade air pollutant" means air pollution which results directly or indirectly from human 

activities. 

 3. "Modification" means any physical change in, change in method of, or addition to an existing 

secondary source, except that routine maintenance or repair shall not be considered to be a 

physical change. 

G. SEVERABILITY 

 If any portion of this rule is found to be unenforceable, such finding shall have no effect on the 

enforceability of the remaining portions of the rule which shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

Proposed Revised Rule 405 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 9 

RULE 405. EXCEPTIONS 

ADOPTED 9/05/74 REVISED 3/10/76, 5/08/96, 11/07/01, 7/7/05 

Rules 400, 404-A and 404-B do not apply to:

A. Fire set by or permitted by a public officer if such fire is set or permission given in the 

performance of an official duty of such officer, and such fire, in the opinion of such officer, is 

necessary: 

1. For the purpose of the prevention of a fire hazard which cannot be abated by other 

means, or 

2. The instruction of public employees in the methods of fighting fire. 

B. Fires set pursuant to a permit on property used for industrial purposes for the purpose of 

instruction of employees in methods of fighting fire. 

C. Agricultural operations necessary in the growing of crops or raising of fowls or animals, or

D. The use of an orchard, field crop, or citrus grove heater which does not produce unconsumed, 

solid carbonaceous matter at a rate in excess of that allowed by State law. 

E. The use of other equipment in agricultural operations necessary in the growing of crops, or 

raising of fowls, or animals.

F. The treatment of waste propellants, explosives and pyrotechnics (PEP) in open burn/open 

detonation operations on military bases for operations approved in accordance with a burn plan 

as required in Rule 432. 

G. Burning of materials for the purpose of creating special effects during production of commercial or 

educational films, videos or photographs. 

H. Disposal of contraband (confiscated controlled substances) by burning. 

I. Recreational or ceremonial fires contained in a fireplace, barbeque, or fire pit. 

J. A fire set for the purpose of eliminating a public health hazard that cannot be abated by any other 

practical means. 

→

→
Great Basin Unified APCD 

Proposed Rule 502 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 10 

Attachment B 

Rules Requiring BACM and BARCT 

for Agricultural Activities 

REGULATION V – AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS

RULE 502 – CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Adopted: 7/7/05 

1.0 Purpose 

The purpose of this rule is to limit fugitive dust emissions from agricultural operation 

sites within the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (Alpine, Inyo and 

Mono Counties). 

2.0 Applicability 

This rule applies to agricultural operation sites located within the Great Basin Unified Air 

Pollution Control District. 

3.0 Definitions 

3.1 Administrative change: a change to a Conservation Management Practice (CMP) 

Plan that: 

3.1.1 Corrects typographical errors: or 

3.1.2 Identifies a change in the name, address, or phone number of any person 

identified in the CMP Plan, or provides a similar minor administrative 

change which has no effect on the selected CMPs and does not change any 

information that could be used to determine emissions reduction; or 

3.1.3 Allows for the change of ownership or operational control of an 

agricultural operation site or agricultural parcel. 

3.2 Agricultural Operations: the growing and harvesting of crops or the raising of 

livestock, fowl or other animals, for the primary purpose of earning a living, or of 

conducting agricultural research or instruction by an educational institution. 

3.3 Agricultural Operation Site: one (1) or more agricultural parcels that meet the 

following: 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

Proposed Rule 502 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 11 

3.3.1 Are under the same or common ownership or operation (including leases 

and allotments), or which are owned or operated by entities which are 

under common control; and 

3.3.2 Are located on one (1) or more contiguous or adjacent properties wholly 

within the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District. 

3.4 Agricultural Parcel: a portion of real property, including, but not limited to, 

cropland, grazing land and animal feeding operation (AFO) used by an 

owner/operator for carrying out a specific agricultural operation. Roads, 

vehicle/equipment traffic areas, and facilities, on or adjacent to the cropland or 

AFO are part of the agricultural parcel. 

3.5 Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO): the Air Pollution Control Officer of the 

Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District. 

3.6 Animal Feeding Operation (AFO): a lot or facility where animals have been, are, 

or will be gathered, fed, stabled, for a total of 45 days or more in any 12 month 

period and where crops, vegetation, forage growth, or post-harvest residues are 

not sustained over any portion of the lot or facility (as defined in 40 CFR 122.23 

(b)(1)). 

3.7 Board: as defined in Rule 101 (Definitions). 

3.8 Conservation Management Practice (CMP): an activity or procedure that reduces 

air pollutants normally emitted by, or associated with, an agricultural operation. 

The District’s list of CMPs shall constitute the best available control measures 

(BACM) and best available retrofit control technology (BARCT) for agricultural 

practices at agricultural sources of air pollution in the District. 

3.9 Conservation Management Practice Application (CMP Application): a document 

prepared and submitted by the owner/operator of an agricultural operation site 

that lists the selected CMPs for implementation. The CMP application also 

contains, but is not limited to, contact information for the owner/operator, and a 

site plan or map describing the agricultural operation site and locations of 

agricultural parcels where CMPs will be implemented and other information 

describing the extent, duration of CMP implementation and other information 

needed by the District to calculate emission reductions. 

3.10 Conservation Management Practice Category (CMP Category): a grouping, 

including, but not limited to, agricultural activities related to land preparation, 

harvesting, handling and raising of fowl or animals, and the use of agricultural 

unpaved roads, and unpaved vehicle/equipment traffic areas. The CMP category 

“other” includes CMPs to reduce windblown emissions and agricultural burning 

emissions. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

Proposed Rule 502 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 12 

3.11 Conservation Management Practice List (CMP List): the list of CMPs by CMP 

categories as approved by the District Board. 

3.12 Conservation Management Practice Plan (CMP Plan): A CMP Application 

approved by the APCO. 

3.13 Conservation Management Practice Program (CMP Program): a District program 

with the purpose of reducing air pollutants from agricultural operation sites. 

3.14 Contiguous or Adjacent Property: a property consisting of two (2) or more parcels 

of land with a common point or boundary, or separated solely by a public 

roadway or other public right-of-way. 

3.15 District: the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District including all of 

Alpine, Inyo and Mono Counties. 

3.16 Fugitive Dust: any solid particulate matter entrained in the ambient air, caused by 

anthropogenic or natural activities, that is emitted into the air without first passing 

through a stack or duct designed to control flow, including, but not limited to, 

emissions caused by movement of soil, vehicles, equipment, and windblown dust. 

This excludes particulate matter emitted directly in the exhaust of motor vehicles, 

from other fuel combustion devices, portable brazing, soldering, or welding 

equipment, and from pile drivers. 

3.17 Grazing Land: (1) a collective term for rangeland, pastureland, grazing forest 

land, native and naturalized pasture, hayland, and grazed cropland. (2) land is 

used primarily for production of forage plants maintained or manipulated 

primarily through grazing management. Includes all land having plants 

harvestable by grazing without reference to land tenure, other land uses or 

management practices. 

3.18 NRCS: The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resource 

Conservation Service. 

3.19 Owner/Operator: includes, but is not limited to, any person who leases, rents, 

supervises, or operates equipment, or owns/operates a fugitive dust source, in 

addition to the normal meaning of owner or operator. 

3.20 Particulate Matter: as defined in Rule 101 (Definitions). 

3.21 Paved Road: any road that is covered by concrete, asphaltic concrete or asphalt 

that provides structural support for vehicles. 

3.22 PM10: as defined under “Particulate Matter” in Rule 101 (Definitions). 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

Proposed Rule 502 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 13 

3.23 Road: any paved or unpaved road or street, highway, freeway, alley, way, access 

easement or driveway. 

3.24 Unpaved Road: any road that is not covered by one of the materials described in 

the paved road definition. 

3.25 Vehicle: A device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or 

drawn, including mobile equipment, excepting aircraft or watercraft or devices 

moved exclusively by human or animal power or used exclusively upon rails or 

tracks. 

4.0 Exemptions 

4.1 With the exception of AFOs, the provisions of this rule, except for the 

recordkeeping provisions of Section 6.5.2, shall not apply to any of the following 

sources: 

4.1.1 Agricultural operation site where the total acreage of all agricultural 

parcels is less than forty (40) acres if there are less than five (5) separate 

residences or businesses within one-quarter (1⁄4) mile of the site 

boundaries. 

4.1.2 Agricultural operation site where the total acreage of all agricultural 

parcels is less than ten (10) acres if there are five (5) or more residences or 

businesses within one-quarter (1⁄4) mile of the site boundaries. 

4.1.3 Woodland and wasteland not actually under cultivation or used for 

pasture. 

4.1.4 Land placed in the Conservation Reserve Program meeting the definition 

and criteria set by the NRCS. 

4.1.5 Agricultural operation parcel used for the purpose of: 

4.1.5.1 Propagating plants for transplanting, and exhibiting plants under 

controlled conditions inside a building with walls and roof, or 

4.1.5.2 Forestry, including, but not limited to, timber harvest operations, 

silvicultural practices, forest management burning, or forest 

protection practices, or 

4.1.5.3 Providing grazing on open rangeland or pasture. However, the 

cultivation of pasture is not exempt. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

Proposed Rule 502 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 14 

4.2 The provisions of this rule, except for the recordkeeping provisions of Section 

6.5.2, shall not apply to any of the following sources within an agricultural 

operation site: 

4.2.1 An AFO with less than 150 head of domesticated farm mammals, 

including, but not limited to, cattle (heifers, steers, bulls veal calves and 

cow/calf pairs), sheep and pigs, or 

4.2.2 An AFO with less than 2,500 fowl, including, but not limited to, chickens 

and turkey. 

4.3 This rule does not exempt the owner/operator from any other District regulations. 

5.0 Requirements 

5.1 Effective on and after the schedule set forth below in Sections 5.1.1 through 5.1.3, 

an owner/operator shall implement the applicable CMPs selected pursuant to 

Section 6.2 for each agricultural operation site. 

5.1.1 For all Agricultural Operations located within the Owens Valley PM10

non-attainment area, the requirements of this rule shall go into effect on 

and after January 1, 2006. 

5.1.2 For all Agricultural Operations located within the Coso Junction (formerly 

Searles Valley), Mono Basin and Mammoth Lakes PM10 non-attainment 

areas, the requirements of this rule shall go into effect on and after January 

1, 2007. 

5.1.3 For all Agricultural Operations located within all areas of the Great Basin 

Unified Air Pollution Control District not designated in Sections 5.1.1 and 

5.1.2, the requirements of this rule shall go into effect on and after January 

1, 2008. 

5.2 An owner/operator shall prepare and submit a CMP Application for each 

agricultural operation site, pursuant to Section 6.0, to the APCO for approval. A 

CMP Application approved by the APCO shall constitute a CMP Plan. 

5.3 Except as provided by Section 5.4, an owner/operator shall implement the CMPs 

as contained in the CMP Plan approved pursuant to Section 6.0 for each 

agricultural operation site no later than thirty (30) days after notification by the 

APCO of the approval of the CMP Application. 

5.4 An owner/operator that discontinues the implementation of a CMP as committed 

to in a CMP Plan or makes other changes that are inconsistent with the CMP Plan 

shall comply with the requirements of Section 6.3.4. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

Proposed Rule 502 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 15 

6.0 Administrative Requirements 

6.1 CMP Application Preparation 

An owner/operator shall prepare a CMP Application for each agricultural 

operation site. Each CMP Application shall include, but is not limited to, the 

following information: 

6.1.1 The name, business address, phone number and emergency contact 

information of the owner/operator responsible for the preparation and the 

implementation of the CMP Plan. 

6.1.2 The signature of the owner/operator and the date that the application was 

signed. 

6.1.3 A plot plan or map which contains the following information: 

6.1.3.1 The location of the agricultural operation site, 

6.1.3.2 The location of each agricultural parcel on the agricultural 

operation site, 

6.1.3.3 The location of unpaved roads and unpaved equipment/traffic 

areas to be covered by the CMP Plan, and 

6.1.3.4 The location where the CMP will be implemented. 

6.1.3.5 The plot plan or map shall be maintained on-site and made 

available to the APCO or the APCO’s agent upon request. 

6.1.4 The following information, for each agricultural parcel of the agricultural 

site: 

6.1.4.1 The CMPs, selected pursuant to Section 6.2, implemented or 

planned for implementation and 

6.1.4.2 The crop, AFO, or other use of the agricultural parcel. 

6.1.5 Information necessary to calculate emission reductions including, but not 

limited to: 

6.1.5.1 The crop or animals and total crop acreage or number of animals 

and the total length (miles) of unpaved roads, and the total area 

(acres or square feet) of the unpaved equipment and traffic areas 

to be covered by the CMP Plan, and 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

Proposed Rule 502 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 16 

6.1.5.2 Other information as determined by the APCO. 

6.2 CMP Selection 

An owner/operator shall select and implement one (1) CMP from the CMP list for 

each of the applicable CMP categories for each agricultural parcel of an 

agricultural operation site, except as provided below: 

6.2.1 If an agricultural operation site or agricultural parcel has crop rotation, an 

owner/operator shall select one (1) CMP from the CMP list for each of the 

applicable CMP categories for each rotated crop type. 

6.2.2 If a CMP can only be selected for implementation on a portion of an 

agricultural operation site, an owner/operator shall select an additional 

CMP within the CMP category to be implemented on the remaining 

acreage or remaining AFO. 

6.2.3 An owner/operator may select a substitute CMP from another CMP 

category when no feasible CMP can be identified from one category. This 

provision shall not apply for the unpaved road, and unpaved 

vehicle/equipment traffic area CMP categories. 

6.2.3.1 An owner/operator may identify or develop a new CMP not on 

the CMP list to be used to comply with the requirements of this 

rule. Prior to use of the new CMP, the owner/operator must 

obtain the interim approval of the APCO to use a new CMP to 

meet the requirements of Section 6.2. The owner/operator shall 

demonstrate that the new CMP achieves PM10 emission 

reductions that are at least equivalent to other CMPs on the CMP 

list that could be selected for the applicable operation. 

6.2.3.2 The APCO will perform an independent analysis of proposed 

CMPs to determine that they achieve PM10 emission reductions 

that are at least equivalent to other CMPs on the CMP list that 

could be selected for the applicable operation. This analysis shall 

be made using the most recent emission factors provided by U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the California Air 

Resources Board (CARB) when available. CMPs that are not 

shown to achieve equivalent emission reductions will be 

disapproved. The District shall maintain a list of CMPs 

determined to be equivalent under this Section. 

6.3 CMP Application Submission 

An owner/operator shall submit a CMP Application, prepared pursuant to Section 

6.1, to the APCO according to the following schedule: 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

Proposed Rule 502 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 17 

6.3.1 For an agricultural operation site located within the Owens Valley PM10

non-attainment area, no later than October 1, 2005 for existing agricultural 

operation sites and within 90 days for an agricultural operation site or an 

agricultural parcel that is acquired or becomes subject to the provisions of 

this Rule after January 1, 2006. 

6.3.2 For an agricultural operation site located within the Coso Junction 

(formerly Searles Valley), Mono Basin or Mammoth Lakes PM10 nonattainment areas, no later than October 1, 2006 for existing agricultural 

operation sites and within 90 days for an agricultural operation site or an 

agricultural parcel that is acquired or becomes subject to the provisions of 

this Rule after January 1, 2007. 

6.3.3 For an agricultural operation site located within all areas of the Great 

Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District not designated in Sections 

6.3.1 and 6.3.2, no later than October 1, 2007 for existing agricultural 

operation sites and within 90 days for an agricultural operation site or an 

agricultural parcel that is acquired or becomes subject to the provisions of 

this Rule after January 1, 2008. 

6.3.4 Within 60 days of any operational, administrative, or other modification 

that necessitates the revision of an existing approved CMP Plan. A 

modification includes, but is not limited to, the following: 

6.3.4.1 Administrative changes to any information provided pursuant to 

Section 6.0, 

6.3.4.2 Implementation of a CMP other than the CMP listed in a CMP 

Plan, 

6.3.4.3 Change of the crop or AFO on a agricultural parcel, and 

6.3.4.4 Any other changes as determined by the APCO. 

6.4 CMP Application Review and Evaluation 

6.4.1 The APCO shall: 

6.4.1.1 Review the CMP Application and determine whether the 

submitted CMP Application is complete. Completeness shall be 

determined by evaluating whether the CMP Application meets 

the requirements of Section 6.1 of this rule and the applicable 

requirements of Rule 307 (Conservation Management Practices 

Plan Fees). 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

Proposed Rule 502 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 18 

6.4.1.2 Notify the owner/operator in writing of the determination that the 

CMP Application is, or is not, complete and request the 

owner/operator to provide additional information within 30 days. 

6.4.1.3 Evaluate and either approve or disapprove the CMP Application 

and provide written notification to the owner/operator within 60 

days after receipt of the complete CMP Application, of the 

approval or disapproval of the CMP Application. 

6.4.2 A CMP Application for a modification to a CMP Plan pursuant to Section 

6.3.4.1 shall be deemed approved as submitted unless written comments 

are transmitted by the APCO to the owner/operator within 30 days of 

receipt of the CMP application. 

6.4.3 A CMP Application for a modification to a CMP Plan pursuant to Sections 

6.3.4.2, 6.3.4.3, and 6.3.4.4 shall be deemed conditionally approved as 

submitted unless written comments are transmitted by the APCO to the 

owner/operator within 30 days of receipt of the CMP application. 

6.4.4 The approval of a CMP Application shall not serve to excuse the owner or 

operator from complying with law, nor shall it excuse any violation. 

6.5 Recordkeeping 

An owner/operator shall, upon request, make available to the APCO the records 

required to be kept pursuant to Section 6.5.1 and Section 6.5.2. 

6.5.1. An owner/operator subject to Section 5.0 shall maintain the following 

records for a minimum of five (5) years: 

6.5.1.1 A copy of each CMP Application and CMP Plan. 

6.5.1.2 Supporting information necessary to confirm the 

implementation of the CMPs. 

6.5.2 An owner/operator claiming exemption pursuant to Section 4.0 shall 

maintain records for a minimum of five (5) years that demonstrate that the 

agricultural operation site or agricultural parcel qualified for the 

exemption. 

6.6 Loss of Exemption 

An owner/operator of an agricultural operation site or agricultural parcel that 

becomes subject to the provisions of Section 5.0 of this rule, through loss of 

exemption, shall comply with all applicable provisions of this rule pursuant to the 

schedule in Section 6.3. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

Proposed Rule 502 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 19 

7.0 Compliance Schedule 

Unless otherwise noted, all provisions of this rule shall be effective on and after July 7, 

2005. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

Proposed Rule 307 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 20 

Rule 307 – CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PRACTICES PLAN FEES 

Adopted 7/7/05 

1.0 Purpose 

The purpose of this rule is to recover the District’s costs for the review and 

management of Conservation Management Plan (CMP) Applications and Plan 

required by Rule 502 (Conservation Management Practices). 

2.0 Applicability 

This rule applies to each owner/operator of an Agricultural Operation Site subject to 

Rule 502 (Conservation Management Practices). 

3.0 Definitions 

3.1 Agricultural Operation Site (AOS): as defined in Rule 502 (Conservation 

Management Practices). 

3.2 Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO): as defined in Rule 502 (Conservation 

Management Practices). 

4.0 Exemptions 

The provisions of this rule do not apply to any AOS subject to the District’s Permit to 

Operate requirements. 

5.0 CMP Application and Renewal Fees 

5.1 Agricultural Operation Site subject to Rule 502: 

The owner/operator of an AOS shall pay an initial CMP Plan fee of $150.00. 

This fee will cover the cost of plan review and approval as well as the cost of 

the first year of field inspections. 

5.2 Multiple Agricultural Operation Sites subject to Rule 502: 

An owner/operator of multiple AOSs shall pay the applicable fee as shown in 

Section 5.1 for all AOSs submitted to the APCO at the same time. CMP 

applications for AOSs submitted at different times shall each be subject to the 

full fee shown in Section 5.1. 

5.3 CMP Plan Renewal Fee 

The owner/operator shall pay a renewal fee of $60.00 every year for each 

CMP Plan that is required by Rule 502. After five years, if there has been no 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

Proposed Rule 307 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 21 

change in the CMP plan and no CMP plan violations, the annual renewal fee 

will be reduced to $30.00. 

5.4 CMP Modification Fee 

No additional fees are required to request a modification of a previously approved 

CMP Plan. 

5.5 CMP Fee Adjustments 

Beginning on July 1, 2006, all CMP application and renewal fees shall be 

adjusted annually in accordance with California Health and Safety Code 

Section 42311 to account for changes in the annual California Consumer Price 

Index. The actual fees charged shall be rounded to the nearest five dollar ($5) 

increment. 

6.0 Fee Notification 

6.1 The initial CMP Plan fee shall be submitted to the District with the submittal 

of the plan. The submittal will be deemed to be incomplete and no processing 

or approval will occur until the fee is paid. 

6.2 The APCO shall provide the AOS owner/operator with an invoice for the 

annual renewal fee annually in the month the CMP Plan was approved. CMP 

Plan renewal fees are due and payable within 30 days of the invoice date. 

7.0 Late Fees 

If payment of any charges levied under this rule is not received by the APCO within 

30 days of the invoice date, the charges shall be increased in accordance with the 

schedule provided in Rule 300 Section D. (Notification of Fees Due). 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

BACM/BARCT for Agricultural Operations 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 22 

Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District 

LIST OF CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

FOR AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS

Including Best Available Control Measures (BACM) and 

Best Available Retrofit Control Technology (BARCT) 

for Agricultural Practices 

Adapted from the 

California Air Pollution Control Officer’s Association (CAPCOA) 

Agricultural Sources Clearinghouse of Air Pollution Reduction Methods 

http://www.capcoa.org/Agclearinghouse/index.html

July 7, 2005 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

BACM/BARCT for Agricultural Operations 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 23 

Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District 

BACM/BARCT List of Conservation Management Practices for Agricultural Operations 

The CMP operation types include: 

A. Crop Farming (field/row crops and orchard/vineyard crops) 

B. Confined Animal Facilities (dairy, feedlot and poultry operations) 

C. Other Agricultural Activities 

The CMP categories for each CMP operation type are: 

A. Crop Farming 

 1. Field/row crops 

 a. Disking, tilling and land preparation 

 b. Harvesting 

 2. Orchard/vineyard crops 

 a. Disking, tilling and land preparation 

 b. Harvesting 

 3. Land application of fertilizers and pesticides 

B. Confined Animal Facilities 

 1. Feed preparation, storage and handling 

 2. Manure storage and handling 

 3. Waste management practices 

C. Other Agricultural Activities 

 1. Storage piles (piles of bulk materials such as dirt, aggregate, etc, excluding manure) 

 2. Unpaved roads 

 3. Unpaved traffic areas (parking lots, staging areas, etc.) 

 4. Open burning 

 5. Internal combustion engines 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

BACM/BARCT for Agricultural Operations 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 24 

A. CROP FARMING

1. FIELD/ROW CROPS

a. Disking/Tilling/Land Preparation 

Alternate Till: Tilling alternate rows for weed management allows for approximately 

a 50% reduction in field activity. 

Bed/Row Size or Spacing: Spacing adjustments reduce the number of passes and soil disturbances 

by increasing plant density/canopy through reduction of row width. 

Cessation of Activities: 

No disking, tilling or other land preparation activities shall take place 

when active wind erosion is observed on a field and visible particulate 

matter leaves the property from which it originates. 

Chemigation/Fertigation Application of chemicals through an irrigation system reduces the need 

to travel in-field for application purposes. 

Combined Operations: Combine equipment to perform several operations during one pass, 

thereby reducing the number of passes necessary to cultivate the land. 

Conservation Irrigation: Conserving water through drip, sprinkler, underground lines, conserves 

water and reduces weed population and need for tillage. 

Conservation Tillage (no 

tillage or minimum 

tillage): 

Reduces the number of passes and the amount of soil disturbance. 

Improves soil because it retains plant residue and increases organic 

matter. 

Cover Crops: Use seeding or natural vegetation/regrowth of plants to cover soil 

surface and reduce wind erosion of soil. 

Cross Wind 

Stripcropping: 

Establish crops in strips across the prevailing wind direction and 

arranged so that strips susceptible to wind erosion are alternated with 

strips resistant to wind erosion. 

Equipment 

Changes/Technological 

Improvements: 

Use larger equipment, modify land planing and land leveling, matching 

the equipment to row spacing to reduce the number of passes. 

Fallowing Land: Temporary or permanent removal from production eliminates entire 

operation/passes or reduces soil disturbing activities. 

Mulching/Crop Residue 

Management: 

Applying or leaving plant residue or other material on the soil surface. 

Reduces wind entrainment of dust, and reduces weed competition. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

BACM/BARCT for Agricultural Operations 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 25 

A.1.a. CROP FARMING: FIELD/ROW CROPS: Disking/Tilling/Land Preparation

(CONTINUED) 

Night Farming: Operate at night when moisture levels are higher and winds tend 

to be lighter, thereby reducing dust emissions. 

Non-tillage/Chemical 

Tillage: 

Use flail mower, low volume sprayers, or heat delivery systems 

(as harvest pre-conditioner). Reduces or eliminates number of 

soil tillage passes. 

Organic Practices: 

Use biological control methods or non-chemical control 

methods. Reduces chemical use and number of application 

passes. 

Ridge Roughness: 

Establish ridges by normal tillage and planting equipment as 

close as perpendicular as possible to the direction of erosive 

winds. 

Soil Amendments: Apply organic or chemical materials to soil (e.g., gypsum, lime, 

polyacrylamide) to improve soil, increase moisture retention. 

Soil Moisture 

Management: 

Ensure adequate soil moisture levels at the time of tillage or soil 

maintenance to reduce dust emissions. 

Surface Roughening: 

In wind-prone areas, conduct surface roughening by bedding, 

rough disking, or tillage that leaves the surface covered with 

stable clods. 

Time of 

Disturbance/Planting: 

Time planting to coincide with the time of year when PM 

concentrations are less. 

Transplanting: Planting plants already in the growth state reduces number of 

passes and soil disturbances compared to seeding operations. 

Wind Barriers: 

Plant or maintain perennial or annual plants interspersed 

throughout a crop field as close to perpendicular as practical to 

the direction of prevailing winds. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

BACM/BARCT for Agricultural Operations 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 26 

A. CROP FARMING

1. FIELD/ROW CROPS

b. Harvesting 

Baling/Large Bales: 

Use balers to harvest crop, reducing PM10 emissions from 

crops traditionally harvested by chopping, truck passes, and 

residue burning. 

Combined Operations: Combine equipment to perform several operations during 

one pass. 

Equipment 

Changes/Technological 

Improvements: 

Modify equipment such as combines or cotton pickers, and 

harvesting equipment; increase equipment size to reduce 

number of passes; other technological improvements. 

Fallowing Land: 

Temporary or permanent removal from production (e.g., 

vineyard pull-out, wildlife wetlands conservation program) 

eliminates entire operation or substantially reduces 

activities. 

Green Chop: Harvest a forage crop without allowing it to dry in the field; 

reduces multiple equipment passes. 

Hand Harvesting: Harvest crop by hand thereby reducing soil disturbances by 

equipment. 

Night Harvesting: Implement cultural practices at night or when the humidity 

is high. 

Pre-Harvest Soil 

Preparation: 

Apply a light amount of water or other stabilizing material 

to soil prior to harvest. 

Shed Packing: Pack commodities in a covered or closed area. 

Shuttle System/Larger 

Carrier: 

Haul multiple or larger trailers/bins per trip thereby 

reducing the number of trips. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

BACM/BARCT for Agricultural Operations 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 27 

A. CROP FARMING

2. ORCHARD/VINEYARD CROPS

a. Disking/Tilling/Land Preparation 

Bed/Row Size or Spacing:

Spacing adjustments reduce the number of passes and soil 

disturbances by increasing plant density/canopy through 

reduction of row width. 

Cessation of Activities:

No disking, tilling or other land preparation activities shall take 

place when active wind erosion is observed on a field and visible 

particulate matter leaves the property from which it originates. 

Cover Crops: Use seeding or natural vegetation/regrowth of plants to cover soil

surface and reduce wind erosion of soil. 

Equipment 

Changes/Technological 

Improvements:

Use larger equipment, modify land planing and land leveling, 

matching the equipment to row spacing to reduce the number of 

passes. 

Fallowing Land: Temporary or permanent removal from production eliminates 

entire operation/passes or reduces soil disturbing activities. 

Floor Management:

Smoothing and flattening the soil surface after nut harvest to 

remove post-harvest residue. Reduces number of passes through 

elimination of disking. 

Grinding/ Chipping/ 

Shredding: 

Grind/chip/shred orchard prunings and incorporate into the soil. 

Reduces PM from burning crop residues. 

Mulching/Crop Residue 

Management:

Applying or leaving plant residue or other material on the soil 

surface. Reduces wind entrainment of dust, and reduces weed 

competition. 

Night Farming: Operate at night when moisture levels are higher and winds tend 

to be lighter, thereby reducing dust emissions. 

Organic Practices:

Use biological control methods or non-chemical control 

methods. Reduces chemical use and number of application 

passes. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

BACM/BARCT for Agricultural Operations 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 28 

B.2.a. CROP FARMING: ORCHARD/VINEYARD CROPS: Disking/Tilling/Land Preparation

(CONTINUED) 

Reduced Pruning: Reduce frequency of pruning to one time a year, or once every 

two years. 

Ridge Roughness:

Establish ridges by normal tillage and planting equipment as 

close as perpendicular as possible to the direction of erosive 

winds. 

Soil Amendments: Apply organic or chemical materials to soil (e.g., gypsum, lime, 

polyacrylamide) to improve soil, increase moisture retention. 

Soil Moisture Monitoring: Ensure adequate soil moisture levels at the time of tillage or soil 

maintenance to reduce dust emissions. 

Surface Roughening:

In wind-prone areas, conduct surface roughening by bedding, 

rough disking, or tillage that leaves the surface covered with 

stable clods. 

Time of Planting: Time planting to coincide with the time of year when PM 

concentrations are less. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

BACM/BARCT for Agricultural Operations 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 29 

A. CROP FARMING

2. ORCHARD/VINEYARD CROPS

b. Harvesting 

Combined Operations: Combine equipment to perform several operations during 

one pass. 

Equipment 

Changes/Technological 

Improvements: 

Modify equipment such as combines or cotton pickers, and 

harvesting equipment; increase equipment size to reduce 

number of passes; other technological improvements. 

Fallowing Land: 

Temporary or permanent removal from production (e.g., 

vineyard pull-out, wildlife wetlands conservation program) 

eliminates entire operation or substantially reduces 

activities. 

Floor Management: 

Smoothing and flattening the soil surface after nut harvest 

to remove post-harvest residue. Reduces number of passes 

through elimination of disking. 

Hand Harvesting: Harvest crop by hand thereby reducing soil disturbances by 

equipment. 

Night Harvesting: Implement cultural practices at night or when the humidity 

is high. 

Pre-Harvest Soil 

Preparation: 

Apply a light amount of water or other stabilizing material 

to soil prior to harvest. 

Shed Packing: Pack commodities in a covered or closed area. 

Shuttle System/Larger 

Carrier: 

Haul multiple or larger trailers/bins per trip thereby 

reducing the number of trips. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

BACM/BARCT for Agricultural Operations 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 30 

A. CROP FARMING

3. LAND APPLICATION OF FERTILIZERS/PEST CONTROL

Chemigation/ 

Fertigation: 

Application of chemicals through the irrigation system 

reduces the need to travel in the field for application 

purposes. 

Integrated Pest 

Management: 

A decision process that uses a combination of techniques 

including organic, conventional, and biological farming 

practices to suppress pest problems and thereby reducing 

the number of passes for spraying. 

Non-tillage/Chemical 

Tillage: 

Use flail mower, low volume sprayers, or heat delivery 

systems (as harvest pre-conditioner). Reduces or eliminates 

number of soil tillage passes. 

Organic Practices: 

Use biological control methods or non-chemical control 

methods. Reduces chemical use and number of application 

passes. 

Soil Amendments: 

Apply organic or chemical materials to soil (e.g., gypsum, 

lime, polyacrylamide) to improve soil, increase moisture 

retention. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

BACM/BARCT for Agricultural Operations 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 31 

B. CONFINED ANIMAL FACILITIES

1. FEED PREPARATION, STORAGE AND HANDLING

Boot or Sock: Load feed into storage bins using a sock or boot in the feed 

delivery truck auger. 

Feeding Near Dusk: Reduces dust generating behaviors of animals. 

Restrict Hay Grinding 

Activities: 

Avoid hay grinding activities during the windiest times of the 

day, which are typically in the afternoons. 

Wet Feed During 

Mixing: Increase moisture feed levels to reduce excessive dust. 

Wet Material in 

Feedwagon: 

Avoid placing only dry material in feedwagons; rather mix wet 

feed with dry feed material. 

2. MANURE STORAGE AND HANDLING

Fibrous Layer in Dusty 

Areas: 

Add fibrous material to working areas. 

Freestall Housing: Use freestall housing with cement floor to allow for manure 

cleaning with a flushing system. 

Frequent Scraping and 

Manure Removal: 

Remove manure from open corrals. Conditions of removal, 

and frequency of removal may be specified. 

Pull-Type Manure 

Harvesting Equipment: 

Use a pull-type piece of equipment to leave an even corral 

surface. 

Removing Excess 

Water: 

Eliminate water leaks from troughs and trough piping, and 

comply with corral drainage standards. 

Shaded Areas in Open 

Corrals: 

Make available shaded areas in open corrals, which increases 

animal density and reduces animal movement. 

Sprinkling of Open 

Corrals: 

Ensure adequate corral surface moisture levels to prevent 

visible dust emissions or meet specified moisture conditions. 

Time-of-Day 

Scraping/Harrowing: 

Scrape/harrow in morning hours when moisture is typically 

higher. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

BACM/BARCT for Agricultural Operations 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 32 

B. CONFINED ANIMAL FACILITIES

3. WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Frequent Scraping 

and/or Manure 

Removal: 

Remove manure from open corrals. Conditions of removal 

and frequency of removal may be specified. 

Manure Disposal: 

Dispose of manure in accordance with prescribed 

procedures. This could include approved manure processing 

operations or other lands approved for the spreading of 

manure. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

BACM/BARCT for Agricultural Operations 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 33 

C. OTHER AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES

1. STORAGE PILES (PILES OF BULK MATERIALS SUCH AS DIRT, AGGREGATE, ETC, EXCLUDING 

MANURE)

Chemical Stabilization: Apply an approved dust suppressant at a sufficient quantity and 

frequency to prevent windblown dust. 

Covering: 

Install tarps, plastic or other material as a temporary covering. 

(Coverings should be anchored to prevent wind from removing the 

cover). 

Watering: Apply water at a sufficient quantity and frequency to maintain moist 

surface under windy conditions. 

Wind Sheltering: Enclose material in a three-sided barrier equal to or greater in height 

than the height of the material. 

2. UNPAVED ROADS

Access Restriction: 

Restrict public access to unpaved roads using signage or physical 

access restrictions (e.g., access barrier) and/or limit total trips to less 

than 10 per day. 

Paving: Pave unpaved roads. (Gives maximum PM-10 emissions reductions 

as long as paved surface is kept clean.) 

Road Treatments: 

Apply water, washed gravel, mulch, organic materials, polymers, 

dust suppressants, road oil or wood chips to the unpaved road 

surface area. 

Speed Limits: Control speed limits to 15 mph on unpaved roads through worker 

behavior modification, signage, or any other necessary means. 

Surface Modification: Cover unpaved road surfaces with a low silt-content material, such 

as gravel or recycled road base. 

Track-Out Area 

Improvements: 

Minimize dirt material tracked out onto public roadways by paving 

or chemically stabilizing, or applying gravel to the unpaved road 

surface for a distance of at least 100 feet from the public roadway. 

Track-Out Prevention: Check or clean the underside of all haul trucks before leaving the 

parking or staging area. 

Vegetation: Establish natural vegetation on unpaved surfaces no longer being 

used. 
Great Basin Unified APCD 

BACM/BARCT for Agricultural Operations 

 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 34 

C. OTHER AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES (continued)

3. UNPAVED TRAFFIC AREAS (PARKING LOTS, STAGING AREAS, ETC.)

Access Restriction: Restrict public access to unpaved traffic areas using signage 

or physical access restrictions (e.g., access barrier). 

Paving: Pave unpaved traffic areas. (Gives maximum PM-10 

emissions reductions as long as paved surface is kept clean.) 

Road Treatments: 

Apply water, mulch, organic materials, polymers, dust 

suppressants, or wood chips to the unpaved traffic surface 

area. 

Speed Limits: 

Control speed limits to 15 mph on unpaved areas through 

worker behavior modification, signage, or any other 

necessary means. 

Surface Modification: Cover unpaved surfaces with a low silt-content material, 

such as gravel or recycled road base. 

Track-Out Prevention: Check or clean the underside of all haul trucks before 

leaving the parking or staging area. 

Vegetation: Establish natural vegetation on unpaved surfaces no longer 

being used. 

Wind Barrier: 

Plant trees or establish other barriers on the typically 

upwind side of the traffic area to minimize windblown dust 

from the unpaved surface. 

4. OPEN BURNING

Eliminate Burning: 

Switch to a crop/system that would not require waste 

burning. Also, use practices such as shredding and chipping 

instead of burning. 

5. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

Note: CAPCOA is still in the process of developing appropriate BARCT/RACM for Internal 

Combustion Engines (ICE). Information will be provided when it becomes available. 
 July 7, 2005 – Item 5 - Page 35 

GREAT BASIN UNIFIED AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT 

157 Short Street, Bishop, California 93514-3537 

Tel: 760-872-8211 Fax: 760-872-6109 

NOTICE OF EXEMPTION 

To: County Clerk of each of: From: Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District 

Inyo County 157 Short Street 

Mono County Bishop, California 93514 

Alpine County 

Project Title: Revision of District Rule 216 - New Source Review Requirements and Rule 405 - 

exceptions; Adoption of District Rule 307 - Conservation Managements Practices Plan Fees and Rule 502 - 

Conservation Management Practices. 

Project Location – Specific: Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District, which includes all of 

Alpine, Inyo and Mono Counties, State of California.

Project Location – County: Alpine County, Inyo County, and Mono County. 

Description of Nature and Purpose of Project: The rule changes are intended to comply with 

Senate Bill 700 (SB700), which was enacted into law on January 1, 2004. SB700 requires the District to adopt 

rules requiring best available control measures (BACM) and best available retrofit control technology 

(BARCT) for applicable agricultural practices (including but not limited to, tilling, discing, cultivation and 

raising of farm animals, and for fugitive emissions from those agricultural practices) in the Owens Valley 

PM-10 planning area between Tinnemaha and Haiwee Reservoirs in Inyo County. The same requirements for 

agricultural operations in other areas of Inyo, Mono and Alpine Counties will be phased-in between 2006 and 

2008. These rule changes will be effective on January 1, 2006 and were adopted on July 7, 2005. 

Agency Approving & Carrying Out the Project: Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District

Exempt Status: Categorical Exemption: §15307 - Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of 

Natural Resources (Class 7) and §15308 - Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment 

(Class 8). Also, §15061(b)(2) - No significant effect on the environment. 

Reasons Why the Project is Exempt: (1) Actions taken by regulatory agencies to assure the 

maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a natural resource and which involve procedures for protection 

of the environment are categorically exempt. (2) It can be seen with certainty that the rule change activities 

will not possibly have a significant effect on the environment and therefore is not subject to CEQA.

Lead Agency Contact Person: Theodore D. Schade, Air Pollution Control Officer, Great Basin 

Unified Air Pollution Control District, 157 Short Street, Bishop, CA 93514. Telephone: (760) 872-8211. 

Signature: ____________________________________ 

 Theodore D. Schade, Air Pollution Control Officer 

 Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District 

Dated: July _____, 2005 

Date received for filing at 

OPR: 

PROPOSED 

July 7, 2005 

060605